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Jackson County reports flood damage estimates, places countywide burn ban
Summary
Officials told the Fiscal Court the county has reported about $106,000 in local damage; they described state-level testing of wider damages and placed a county burn ban under KRS 149.401 after multiple fires.
County officials updated the Fiscal Court on flood damage reported in Jackson County and announced a countywide burn ban citing KRS 149.401.
The county reported approximately $106,000 in damages submitted for Jackson County; that total includes road damage and claims submitted by PRTC and Jackson Energy for utility services. Officials said the amount is an initial estimate and that county staff are awaiting feedback from the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (referred to in the meeting as the state’s emergency management authority) about possible aid.
The judge/executive summarized a joint House and Senate appropriations briefing in which Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray reported damage to 15 county bridges and 49 roads still closed statewide; state budget director John Hicks projected total disaster costs could exceed $50 million and requested additional appropriations to a state emergency aid fund to help local governments while they await FEMA reimbursement. The judge/executive said the proposed state-level “safe funds” would front money to localities until FEMA reimbursements arrive, which local officials welcomed as many small counties lack cash reserves to repair large washouts or bridge damage promptly.
Separately, after consulting fire chiefs about a recent string of fires, the county imposed a complete burn ban—no open burning allowed in Jackson County—until further notice. Officials said the ban would be lifted once sufficient rainfall reduces wildfire risk.
